Grant from energy network to community-minded business is passed on to five Sleaford charities

Western Power Distribution invited local MPs to nominate local businesses, organisations and community groups that had stepped up during coronavirus lockdown to help others in need of support, particularly those having to shield in the earlier days of the pandemic.

Sleaford and North Hykeham MP Dr Caroline Johnson chose three such organisations, explaining: “These organisations in turn need support to continue their good work and I was glad to nominate three of them - the Salted Orange Food Company, Lincolnshire Community Fund and Tablez Café - for Western Power Distribution’s ‘Community Matters Fund’, which is providing grants of up to £1,500 to organisations that changed focus to help people during the pandemic. These organisations have done incredible work during this time to provide fresh meals and food parcels to vulnerable individuals shielding at home and I am happy to support them.”

Tablez cafe and bistro in Millstream Square continued to open up initially, making meals for vulnerable people in need during the early days until government backed schemes could get up and running.

Tablez boss Mesut Palabiyik was thrilled to get a £500 grant, but having reopened for business over the summer decided to donate the money to local charities who have been starved of funds due to restrictions on fundraising activities.

He said: “After much deliberation we have chosen our charities to give away £100 each. They are the Salvation Army, Sleaford Laffletics, Sleaford Dementia Group, Rainbows stars and Sleaford food bank.

“We will be in contact with them all in due course. We really love the opportunity we have been given to help out others and hopefully do some good in these tough times.”

The bistro has also been given an award by the Rotary Club of Sleaford for the work to support the community.

Mesut said: “We are feeling very humbled, honoured and proud to be apart of the Sleaford community.

“Our intentio,n when we decided to offer free meals to the elderly during lockdown, was just that, to offer support to the vulnerable. We were completely taken back to receive this unexpected recognition and very much appreciate this kind gesture. But we never set out for financial gain so gave the grant back to the community.”